LADDER • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Ladder

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/lˈædər/ Listen

noun

Ladder n.

A frame usually portable, of wood, metal, or rope, for ascent and descent, consisting of two side pieces to which are fastened cross strips or rounds forming steps. "Some the engines play, And some, more bold, mount ladders to the fire."

That which resembles a ladder in form or use; hence, That by means of which one attains to eminence; as, to climb the corporate ladder. "Lowliness is young ambition's ladder."

Fish ladder. See under Fish.

Ladder beetle (Zool.), an American leaf beetle (Chrysomela scalaris). The elytra are silvery white, striped and spotted with green; the under wings are rose-colored. It feeds upon the linden tree.

Ladder handle, an iron rail at the side of a vertical fixed ladder, to grasp with the hand in climbing.

Ladder shell (Zool.), a spiral marine shell of the genus Scalaria. See Scalaria.

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Etymology of 'Ladder'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ladder" Quotes from Famous Books

... or JACOB'S LADDER.—Is also a beautiful perennial, and claims the notice of the gardener. Its variety, with white flowers, is also ornamental. It is raised from seeds, which are sold in plenty in ...

— The Botanist's Companion, Vol. II • William Salisbury

... going forward to Carlisle, climbed the ladder and took seats behind Robbie. It was too dark to see who or what they were except that they were men, that they were wrapped in long cloaks, and wore caps that fitted close to their heads and cheeks, being tied over their beards ...

— The Shadow of a Crime - A Cumbrian Romance • Hall Caine

... bustle we are in! and what a world of trouble is here!" cried Simon, when he came to Gray's house, and found him on the ladder taking off the decayed thatch; whilst one of his sons, a lad of about fourteen, was hard at work filling a cart from the dunghill, which blockaded the window. His youngest son, a boy of twelve, with a face and neck red ...

— Tales & Novels, Vol. 2 • Maria Edgeworth

... life-boat station, and at other times prowled about the unfrequented corners of the city, now passing an afternoon along the water front, watching the departure of a China steamer or the loading of the great, steel wheat ships; now climbing the ladder-like streets of Telegraph Hill, or revisiting the Plaza, Chinatown, and the restaurant; or taking long walks in the Presidio Reservation, watching cavalry and artillery drills; or sitting for hours on the rocks by the seashore, watching the ceaseless roll ...

— Blix • Frank Norris

... the services were just commencing. The attendant who admitted us intimated that we must remove our boots and put on the slippers provided. N—— did so, but I objected, and the man was satisfied with my wearing them over my boots. We were conducted up a steep, ladder-like staircase to a small gallery, with a low front only a foot high, with no seats but sheepskins on the floor, where we were expected to curl ourselves up in Turkish fashion. Both my slippers came off during my climb up stairs, and were rescued in their ...

— Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science - Vol. XVII, No. 102. June, 1876. • Various

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